Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Sgt. Major Randall Gibson, 842nd Transportation Battalion, 597th...... read more read more
FORT EUSTIS, Va.— U.S. Army Sgt. Major Randall Gibson, 842nd Transportation Battalion, 597th Transportation Bde., ARTRANS, battalion sergeant major, was among less than one hundred battalion commanders and command sergeant majors selected to attend the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Center for Leadership 2025 Solarium, a three-day leadership development experience organized on behalf of the Chief of Staff of the Army and the Sergeant Major of the Army in conjunction with AUSA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., held in October 2025. During the event, select battalion leaders were given a ‘view from the top’ of the Army’s current initiatives– as well as given the opportunity to provide important feedback to senior leaders including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, and General David Hodne, U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command.
General David Hodne, U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, commanding general, emphasized the critical role of battalion level command teams as he spoke at the event, describing them as, “positioned with the experience and proximity to Soldiers to drive innovation, shape culture, and translate strategic vision into tactical reality.”
Hodne stressed that battalion command teams serve as the vital link between senior leaders and the force.
The Leader Solarium provided a valuable opportunity for select battalion leaders to engage directly with senior leaders and peers who are currently shaping the Army’s future– to be introduced to technological advancements that will continue inform warfare in the years to come and to provide critical feedback from the force.
According to keynote speaker Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, warfighting, delivering ready combat formations, continuous transformation and strengthening the profession of arms will remain Dept. of War priorities in the years to come.
And while George acknowledged the importance of evolving technology, he warned that none of it will matter if troops aren’t physically ready for the challenges on the ground.
“Throughout everything that we're doing at technology, nothing about gritty, tough, physically fit troopers … is going to change,” George said Oct. 13, at the event.
George stressed the importance of developing and maintaining an agile mindset, both for commanders and throughout formations to ensure readiness.
Sgt. Maj. Major Randall Gibson, 842nd Trans. Bn., battalion sergeant major, who was selected to attend the event, said the experience reinforced the importance of empowering leaders at all levels to think critically, challenge assumptions and to remain flexible in order contribute to the Army’s evolving culture supporting transformation.
“I learned that transformation isn’t just about new technology or structure,” said Gibson. “It’s about mindset, execution and clarity.”
Gibson stated one of the most powerful takeaways from the event was the shift toward a design-based culture where every Soldier is perceived as a master learner and innovator.
“The emphasis on mastering the basics, sharing lessons horizontally, and ruthlessly prioritizing what matters most are lessons I’ll carry forward and share across our formation,” Gibson stated.
At the unit level, Gibson said he plans to embed design thinking into leadership practices to encourage junior leaders to solve problems creatively and take ownership of change; he will also continue to reinforce foundational excellence in areas like physical readiness, maintenance, and Army standards, while creating informal channels to share insights and lessons learned.
Gibson said another important takeaway from the event was the ‘All Maneuver Army’ concept– a future warfighting vision where every element, from logistics to intelligence, is treated as a maneuver force.
“This fundamentally changes how we think about roles, responsibilities, and survivability in contested environments,” said Gibson. “It reflects a direct response to real-world threats where rear areas no longer exist, and every Soldier must be agile, lethal, and empowered.”
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2025 13:22 |
| Story ID: | 551390 |
| Location: | BEAUMONT , TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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